washington lodge no 4washingtonlodge4.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/may-2015... · 2015-04-30 ·...
TRANSCRIPT
this issue
Masters Message P. 1
Junior Steward P. 3
Chaplain P 3
Past Masters P. 6
Calendar P. 7
YEAR 2015
ELECTED OFFICERS
W.B. Gordon Johnson
Worshipful Master
Bro.Gevorg Mkhitaryan
Senior Warden
Bro. Tom Clark
Junior Warden
V.W.B. Mark Sanders
Treasurer
W.B. Mike Bishop
Secretary
Sr. Deacon… …Dean Roettger
Jr. Deacon………. Chris Carter
Chaplain……............... Rick Cox
Marshal……...…...David Upjohn
Tyler ......……...W.B. Fred Davis
Sr. Steward……….…..John kent
Jr. Steward…………Larry Marks
Musician……………….Joe Reef
Historian……..…..David Coffing
Photographer… ..David Rice
Trestle Board Editor
V.W.B. Jim Thompson
All articles should be submitted to
the Secretary no later than 2 days
after our special meeting on the 3rd.
Thursday of the month. All members
are welcomed and encouraged to
May 2015 Trestle Board
Washington Lodge No 4
Founded in 1857 Meeting on the Level Acting by the Plumb Parting on the Square
Greetings From the East
Brethren, We are well into Spring – the days are growing longer, flowers have bloomed in
trees and in gardens, and with the abundance of good weather, local parks are full of life and
activity. April brought our annual Washington Lodge No. 4 Easter Egg Hunt, an event for
which, with the uncertainty around the disposition of the VMC, there was little advance plan-
ning. In fact, at our April Officers Meeting on March 26th, I offered that we forego the annual
event this year. However, Bro. Tom Clark, our JW, quickly affirmed that he was ready, will-
ing, and capable of seeing the event to fruition. With his eagerness and dedication solidified,
I charged our JW to make it so. And so he did. Bro. Tom quickly established communication
in local media regarding the event, and adeptly directed his cadre of volunteers to stuff eggs,
clear the VMC grounds, and complete setup for a very successful public event. It was partic-
ularly satisfying to see our JW acting as Master of Ceremony with pure delight – which clearly
translated to the delight of the community children participating in the event. Well done,
Bro. Tom!
The theme of our April Stated Communication was Guarding the West Gate. I read from the
WMC Sec. 18.09 B.L. Petition and Lodge Officers Handbook 2-4 The Investigating Com-
mittee, as they relate to this topic. I also shared some highlights from the Six Step Program,
which was developed by the Grand Lodge of British Columbia and Yukon, and presented at a
topic at the Grand Lodge Lodge Leadership Retreat. You can read
about the Six Step Program at http://freemasonry.bcy.ca/ddgm/
tab_7_six_steps_to_initiation.pdf
At our April Special Communication, we passed Bros. Ron Fryer
and Justin Mattaliano to the degree of Fellowcraft. Sincere thanks
to each of the Brothers who had a role in the degree, particularly
WB David Rice, who delivered an outstanding Middle Chamber
Lecture.
Continued on page 2
2
Levi's Uncles News-
Freemasons supporting the search for a cure to Cystic Fibrosis
Have you registered for the 2015 Cystic Fibrosis Foundation GREAT STRIDES walk? On Saturday, May 9th,
Freemasons from District 19 (and beyond) will once again be participating in the annual fundraising
event. Thanks to donations collected by Mt. Hood Lodge No. 32 during their annual charity dinner, and a do-
nation from Washington Lodge No. 4, Freemasons of Southwest Washington is once again a recognized spon-
sor of the event with our donation of nearly $2,000. Our MWGM has approved the use of the logo below to
be used on event materials, including presentation on the back of CFF event T-shirts*.
Masons interested in participating may register online at http://fightcf.cff.org/goto/LevisTeam They may also register in person on the day of the event. This is a family friendly event, so family members are welcome to participate.
*Participants raising $100 or more will be given an official CFF event T-shirt.
From the East Continued
Mark your calendars for several special events which will be taking place soon:
Wednesday, April 29th, Washington Lodge No. 4 and Mt. Hood Lodge No. 32 will host an Entered Apprentice
Table Lodge of Instruction. Dinner will be served at 6:30 PM.
Sunday, May 3rd, Washington Lodge No. 4 and Mt. Hood Lodge No. 32 will host a High Tea for our Masonic La-
dies; Widows, Ladies Concordant Bodies, and the special Lady in your life.
Saturday, May 9th, Levi’s Uncles and Aunts are invited to participate in the annual Cystic Fibrosis Foundation GREAT STRIDES event as part of Levi’s Team, which will take place at Esther Short Park in Vancouver. Check in at 9:00 AM. Register online athttp://fightcf.cff.org/goto/LevisTeam, or in persion on the day of the event. (Refer to our last Trestle Board for more information.)
Do good unto all.
W.Bro. Gordon Johnson
Levi’s Uncles 2014
3
Notes From the South.
"I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member." Everyone knows Groucho Marx famous quote, even if some controversy exists over whether he actually said it or not. It's amusing in a self-deprecating way. The inverse would be something like "I would only want to join a club that wouldn't have me as a member." A little less lighthearted sentiment.
Upon examination, we interpret the first quote as meaning any club with standards so low that they would admit Groucho would have nothing to offer him were he to join. The inverse quote means that he would only join a club with a higher social ranking than himself, and thus wouldn't allow him membership.
Both of these statements presume that neither the individual nor the club would change once he joined. Which is poppycock. When you join a club, any group at all be it a church, a bowling league, a place of em-ployment or a fraternity like the Masons, both the club and the individual have an opportunity to change, to grow, to thrive. The church gains another tithing member to further their good works; the churchgoer gains an organized place to worship. The bowling league gains a star player to help win the championship and the player can get accolades; or is a place where the bowler can improve his game and the more seasoned bow-lers can hone their own skills by imparting their knowledge onto the newer player. The employee has a job to feed and clothe and house themselves; the employer gains an employee who will bring in or save more than their paycheck and the business grows.
Likewise, we Masons grow as a fraternity when new members come in. The new Mason is much more than the paltry sum of their dues. They bring a different set of opinions and life experience to the group, making us wiser. The group grows because we have more people to care about and who care about us, increasing our social sphere. The new Mason is likewise enriched by gaining a new set of skills and tools to cope with the trials and tribulations of the world. He has a place to target his charity with like-minded individuals where he can make a difference much greater than if he worked alone.
I am thrilled to be a part of a thriving Lodge. I've already gained much more than I ever expected to when I became a Mason, and I look forward to many more years of giving to, and gaining from, my Lodge.
Tom Clark Jr. Warden
Enjoy scenes from our Easter Egg hunt. Visit
https://www.facebook.com/david.rice.94402/videos/961568263853852/
“Calling all Masons”
Wednesday, April 29th, Washington Lodge No. 4 and Mt. Hood Lodge No. 32 will host an Entered Apprentice Table Lodge of Instruction. At The Vancou-
ver Masonic Center Please Join us for fun and fellowship Dinner will be served at 6:30 PM.
4
From the chair of the Junior Steward.
Excerpt from “Between the Ashlars”
By W. Bro. Jason Whitehorn, MPS
When a man becomes a Mason, he learns the importance of the rough and perfect ashlar and how it relates to his
life. Along with this important lesson, he also learns the importance of the working tools, most all of them used in
properly working that rough ashlar to become a more perfect stone for that eternal dwelling. Through the lessons taught,
we learn that we should spend great time learning to use the tools we have at our disposal to form that ashlar – which is
our life.
When proper time, technique, and care is done to accomplish this, we become a better person: a better friend, a
better father, a better husband, a better son, a better Brother. Sadly, over the years we have learned the shortcuts of work-
ing that stone – and in some cases even replacing the very stone itself with substitute materials – despite the lessons we
receive.
Sure, we can recite the recipe for how to form that ashlar backwards and forwards. We even teach the words and
instructions to others – but we often conclude our instruction to younger newly-made Brothers by saying “memorize this
in less than a month and we’ll have you repeat it to the lodge…then, we’ll let you take your next degree” while failing to
truly explain what it all means. Falling prey to this commonly occurring routine is likened to forgoing the use of bricks
for a house and, in its place, using merely plywood. Sure, it may give shelter from some elements but, over the years the
elements begin to take their toll on the flimsy wood and decay occurs.
The structural integrity of the dwelling becomes unsafe – it soon begins to fall apart. “What should I do?” the
young builder asks? Concerned about his home, he begins “patching” up the boards with more plywood. “Perhaps some
more nails will do the trick,” he says, and thus his home is repaired. Soon, the tolls of Mother Nature come again. The
house meets the same fate as before. “There has to be a solution,” he thinks as he ponders what went wrong. Soon, he
decides that doubling the plywood walls will provide more support.
Again, he builds his home – this time adding more support. For a period of time, his home remains intact. Confi-
dent in his handy work, he goes about his everyday life until, once again, years of the elements cause both layers of
wood to rot away. “Why doesn’t he just use brick?” you say. The answer is simple. Finding a true stone for brick re-
quires entirely too much time. First, a good stone quarry must be found. Then, the stones must be chipped away to be-
come smooth and level so that they fit well together. Then, each brick has to be laid and mortar needs to be added to en-
sure they hold well together. It is simply too much work. Plywood, while only a short-term solution, is much easier to
work with.
“There must be some point to this story,” you say – and there is. For quite a few years, our fraternity has been
trying to find ways to forgo the stone solution and look for alternatives to build. We forgo lessons in ancient teachings –
not just speaking the words.
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Similar short stories and lessons may be found at http://www.themasonictrowel.com
Submitted by Larry Marks Jr. steward.
When was the last time you had a good laugh with brothers? Come to lodge and bring joy to your heart.
“Joke “ A small Lodge had had a string of bad luck. It was preparing to initiate a candidate on a
steamy evening in June and it′s air conditioner had stopped working. After sweating their way through
part of the work, the Master had asked the candidate what he most desired.
The candidate replied "a beer".
At this juncture the WM., being startled, whispered "light" to the candidate.
"OK," the candidate replied, "a lite beer."
5
Upcoming Events:
- Table Lodge with MH32 (April 29)
- Widows Tea with MH32 (1:00pm May 3rd at VMC)
- CFF Walk (May 9th)
- Silver Star Hike (May 16th)
- Fishing (May 30) more to come
- Grand Lodge (June 12-13)
- Disc Golf – Enlightenment @ Champoeg State Park (Oregon) (June 14th)
- Tri-Lodge (Oct. 3)
- Salem 4 Visit (Oct. 7)
Follow us on Facebook. Copy and paste the following URL
https://www.facebook.com/Washington-Lodge-4
The Chaplains Corner
Here is another selection from Level Steps. 100 Daily Meditations for Freemasons by Jonti Marks.
‘Masonry, therefore, is not a competitor with religion though in the sphere of human conduct it may be hoped
that it’s complementary to that of religion.’
-Points of Procedure
There is no doubt that Masonry is a Spiritual pursuit. The fact that it has as its principal aim the betterment of
humanity is proof enough of that assertion. Because it is a Spiritual pursuit, it is intensely religious and yet one
of it’s beauties is that it adorns and enhances religion without usurping it. A good Mason will always be a good
person and therefore, by extension, a good Christian, Jew, Muslim, Sikh or whatever. We should allow our Ma-
sonic principles to adorn and enhance our religious beliefs so that all our actions are acceptable to ourselves, to
others and to God.
For all of our Brothers and fellows; widows, friends or families that are having a difficult time right
now, or are currently suffering in sickness and distress, please reach out to us… as we are standing
ready to help out within the length of our cable tow.
So Mote It Be
In Brotherly Love and Friendship,
Bro. Rick Cox, Chaplain - Washington Lodge # 4
6
*1857 - Lewis Van Vleet
*1858 - Lewis Van Vleet
*1859 - Jas. A. Grahame
*1860 - Jas. A. Grahame
*1 861 - Lewis Van Vleet
*1862 - Louis Sohns
*1863 - Levi Farnsworth
*1864 - Wm. H. Troup
*1865 - Wm. H. Troup
*1866 - Wm. H. Troup
*1867 - Wm. H. Troup
*1868 - Wm. H. Troup
*1869 - Jos. M. Fletcher
*1870 - Louis Sohns
*1871 -James Davidson
*1872 - John Eddings
*1873 - Geo. W. Durgan
*1874 - Louis Sohns
*1875 - Louis Sohns
*1876 - Jos. M. Fletcher
*1877 - Jos. M. Fletcher
*1878 - Geo. W. Durgan
*1879 - Albert S. Nicholson
*1880 - John G. Blake
*1881 - Horace N. Kress
*1882 - Horace N. Kress
*1883 - John G. Blake
*1884 - Louis Sohns
*1885 - Louis Sohns
*1886 - Louis Sohns
*1887 - Lowell M. Hidden
*1888 - Louis R. Sohns
*1889 - Louis R. Sohns
*1890 - Henry Christ
*1891 - Charles A. Johnson
*1892 - Louis R. Sohns
*1893 - Wm. H. Eddings
*1894 - Louis ft Sohns
*1895 - Edward F. Hixon
*1896 - Edward F. Hixon
*1897 - Jas. M. Pritchard
*1898 - Dexter C. Grunow
*1899 - Jos. A. C. Brant
*1900 - Edward F. Hixon
*1901 - Dan Crowley
*1902 - Jos. R. Harvey
*1903 - Wm. H. H. King
*1904 - Wm. H. Martin
*1905 EM Green
*1906 - John Harvey
*1907 - M. R. Sparks
*1908 - Herman J. Erdman
*1909 - W. E. Yates
*1910 - Lewis G. Conant
*1911 - Rudolph G. Ebert
*1912 - James Scott
*1913 - Dennis Nichols
*1914 - Hugh McKinley
*1915 - Samuel J. Miller
*1916 - Francis M. Young
*1917 - wm.J. Kinney ..
*1918 - Bert Yates
*1919 - W. B. Richardson
*1920 - M. W. O’Dell
*1921 - Frank Steele
*1922 - Claude E. Baty
*1923 - Chas. H. Thurman
*1924 - Horace H. Daniels
*1925 - Forest H. Gay
*1926 - Fred W. Sinclair
*1927 - W E. Pearson
*1928 - Jesse L. Dodge
*1929 - Claude C. Snider.
*1930 - Cecil C. Cady
*1931 - Ralph E. Carter
*1932 - Olaf N. Lorass
*1933 - Jay A. Sly
*1934 - Erwin 0. Rieger
*1935...Clark W. Moody
*1936 - Elmer K. Bakke
*1937 - Irwin L. Hopfe
*1938 - James C. Callahan
*1939 - Raymond T. Forrest
*1940 - Howard D. Phillips
*1941 - Ben H. Kreis
*1942 - J. Guthrie Langsdorf
*1943 - William J. Yunker
*1944 - Ira G. Holcomb
*1945 - Horace Hatch
*1946 - Perry L. Hartsock
*1947 - Roy C. Wilson
*1948 - Clifford W. Koppe
*1949 - Albert N. Stanley
*1950 - Phillip LeRoy Weeks
*1951 - W. E. Lawton
*1952 - James A. Daniels
*1953 - J. Ralph Morley
*1954 - Clarence W. Olson
*1955 - Kenneth F. Cone
* l956 -J D Power
*1957 - Leslie Sorensen
*1958 - Hugh H. Bolton
*1959 - Roland F. McKennett
*1960 - Robert J. Moss
*1961 - Milton V. Poe
*1962 - James R. Gregg
*1963 - Richard A. Flett
*1963 - H. Russell Huff (Hon.)
1964 - Thomas L. Wilson
*1965 - Eugene F. Hartley .
*1966 - Franklin H. McClung
*1966 - Harold S. Ball (Hon.)
*1967 - Earl E. Sewell, Jr
*1968 - Robert T. Ludahl
*1969 - H. A. Benedict
*1970 - Donald L. Wallingford
*1971 - Robert L. Zweifel
*1972 - S. Gene Grover .
1973 - David W. Williamson
*1974 - J. R. (Dick) Brown
*1975 - Thomas B. Chapman
1976- AIf Gregerson
*1977 - Abraham N. Cutter
1978 - Albert D. Shaw
*1979 - Robert L. Zweifel
1980 - Thomas W. Lloyd
1981 - David W. Williamson
*1982 - John R. Feliz
1983 - Donald B. Gilliland
*1984 - Gayle F. Cupp
*1985 - Thomas B. Chapman
*1986 - Thomas R. Fletcher...
*1987 - Richard J. Reed
*1988 - Kenneth L. Cox
1989 - Gerald D. Preuss
1990 - Thomas A. Curry
1991 - Murray Falk
1992 - Willard M. Dewar
*1993 - George W. Wilson
1994 - David W. Williamson
*1995 - Kirk E. Williams
1996 - Michael L. Sanders
1997 - Thomas J. Macready.
1997 - Donald P Graham (Hon)
*1998 - Marvin E. Christian
*1999 - George Titus
2000 - James R Thompson
2001 - James R Thompson
2002 - Thomas J. Macready.
2003 - Kenneth D. McCoy
2004 - Terry K. Gaya
*2005 - Roxy W. Spray
2006 - Thom B. Taylor
2007 - Mark D. Sanders
*2008 - Joseph P. Conroy
2009 - Don Houston
2010 - Michael J. Bishop
2011 - H.J. Hank Shaffer
2012 - David C. Coffing.
2013 - Frederick T. Davis
2014 - Leigh F. Cahill
Washington Lodge 4 Past Masters
7
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
29 April
Table Lodge
At VMC
6:30pm
1 2 Ridgefield
daylight
Lodge Check
on Location
3 4 5 6 7
Washington
4 stated
8 9 Cystic
Fibrosis
Great
Strides
10 DO NOT
FORGET
YOUR
MOTHER
11 12 13 14
Mt. Hood
Stated
15 16
Masonic
University
17 18 19 20 21 Wash-
ington 4
special
22 23
Masonic
University
24 25
Memorial
Day
26 27 28
Mt. Hood
Special
29 30 Camping
fishing at
Garibaldi
Fun Fun Fun
31
May 2015